so that is a big gift of flexibility to boehner. and i think it's an acceptance of the reality that rates will have to go up at least a little. >> as for the president, we done know much. but my sense is that they know the issues, they have been through this before. that the atmosphere is their right and now it's a question of their skill at negotiators. because there are delicate balance here. the republicans want to give, probably a little on the tax rate. the president has to sort of lure them over and say okay, we'll give new on entitlements. and you have to do this little dance here. and do it gently. and with a little gift, a little carrot, a little stick and if they can do it confidently i think there is a pretty good chance just atmospherically that we will get a fiscal deal before we go on. >> you see the dance. >> i don't see it quite the same way david does. i think the republicans are facing reality. everything is going against them. it wasn't simply the election return, re-election of the president. but today the associ